Dukes blank Royals

Story by Brock Ormond

Photo: Wellington Dukes/OJHL Images

A neat and tidy victory got the Wellington Dukes back to their winning ways on Tuesday afternoon.

Ben Vreugdenhil registered three points and Jacob Brown posted his first shutout as a Duke in a 3-0 blanking of the Markham Royals.

Vreugdenhil, the Frankford native got Wellington on the board early in the second period after Markham failed to clear the zone, snapping a shot through Noah Caballero for his 16th of the season.

Ethan Murray and Cole Ellis were credited with the assists.

Jayden Levesque struck early in the third, one-timing a Vreugdenhil pass top shelf for his 13th of the season and second as a Duke, with Murray drawing the second assist off the rush.

Vreugdenhil virtually iced the score on a powerplay with less than eight minutes to go, deflecting a long Cory Jewitt shot in for his second of the day and 17th of the year.

Ryan Castle added the second assist.

The Dukes went into lockdown mode for the rest of the game to help preserve Brown’s 27-save shutout and came away with their 26th win of the season.

The Dukes now get set for a busy weekend at home, starting with a huge clash against the blazing hot Toronto Jr. Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.